PESHAWAR, Jan 6: Azizur Rehman, Nazim Thana Khas Union Council, has appealed to the MNAs and MPAs of Malakand Division to wage a collective struggle irrespective of their political affiliations for the development of the division.

The Malakand Rural Development Authority was the sole body responsible for the uplift of the area, therefore people must be apprised of its performance, the Nazim said in a press statement issued here on Monday.

He suggested that the elected representatives should keep a vigil on its development plans by taking practical steps, besides formulating a comprehensive policy as people of the division were still deprived of the utility of the authority.

The Nazim urged the MNAs and MPAs for chalking out a comprehensive plan to overcome the backwardness of the area by exploiting its natural resources like forests, water and minerals.

Malakand division irrigates other parts of the province by its Swat, Panjakora and Kabul rivers while power houses at Dargai and Jabban supply electricity to the country through hydel power generation.

The Nazim regretted that the people of this area were still deprived of electricity and revenue generation produced through hydel power projects.

Traders of the Malakand Division, he said, depended on tourism, but due to lack of security during last two-three years, the number of foreign and local tourists had fallen. He urged the NWFP government to make proper arrangements to remove a sense of insecurity among the tourists.

The people of this area had great expectations from the MMA government, he said, and assured the elected representatives that the district Nazimeen and councillors of the division would work side-by-side with them for the development of the area.—APP